THE IDEAL
FOR HUMAN BEINGS --
to be allowed to live in peace until
the very last momentObjectives of JHPF
(Japan Hospice/Palliative Care Foundation)

Recent medical developments in Japan
have been astonishing. Especially in diagnosis and treatment technology Japan
ranks top-level in the world. Nevertheless, for such incurable conditions as "progressive
cancer" and "terminal cancer", even with the highest possible level
of medicine, care which is really adequate is not easily available.

Patients with no prospects of recovery are often forced to stay alive as long
as possible without receiving pain relief and adequate psychological care, and
many end up dying a painful and lonely death.

Anxious to improve this situation, not only medical and nursing
staff but also the general public have become increasingly interested
in hospice/palliative care during the past two decades. Japan's
first hospice unit was set up in 1981. As of April 2011, there
were 213 official hospice units across Japan.

At present about 300,000 Japanese people die of cancer
each year,so it is clear that more hospice units are necessary
for meeting the needs in Japan.

These developments have revealed how important it is to improve the quality of
hospice/palliative care, and thus to enhance the quality of life (QOL) of patients
and their families.

In response to these concerns, the Japan Hospice/Palliative Care Foundation, after
receiving official authorization, was established on December 28, 2000. This organization
is placing a major emphasis on the development of a more satisfactory hospice/palliative
care system through the following objectives:

- conducting investigation and research for the purpose of improving the quality
of hospice/palliative care.
- providing technical support to the staff involved, including doctors, nurses,
pharmacists, co-medical staff and social workers.
- sponsoring PR activities and international exchange related to hospice/palliative
care.